Felon arrested on charges of running unlicensed auto repair shop

Stephen Flowers of Sanford also had an illegal gun, state inspectors say.

October 14, 2010|By Susan Jacobson, Orlando Sentinel

A man with a long history of fixing cars without a license was arrested Wednesday on charges of operating an unregistered auto-repair business and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, authorities said today.

Stephen Flowers, 41, of Sanford was busted when investigators from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspected his 3D Superior Auto Services, where they also found a .22-caliber gun and ammunition in the business office, they said.

In 2004, a state court permanently barred Flowers from operating or owning an auto-repair shop because he failed to pay fines and had a history of failing to register his businesses, the department said. Many people had complained about his work, officials said.

Flowers previously was convicted of driving with a suspended or revoked license and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.